Ohayoooo! This chapter is three days late, but I hope that the length compensates your wait. I had a licence test and I needed to study, I had to pay $100 for it. Now that its out of the way, I can return to my two week schedule.
Celestia: This chapter was a bit graphic at the end...the violence was harsh.
MR: I needed a dramatic scene, and this was the best I came up with.
Luna: Thy must agree with Tia. You hurt Jethro too much in this chapter.
Shard: I'm ok. Nothing can hurt me more than that bastard. Besides, it was good to see a good friend.
Luna: Aww, thy think thou are a good friend too.
Pinkie Pie: MR owns nothing...(whisper)
Celestia: Alright, stop the chit chat. Proceed with the story!
-"You say that you love her for who she is, inside and out, but do you know what that truly implies?"-
Back in Ponyville, Jethro hatched what could possibly be the best idea ever for Nightmare Night, but he was going to need help; and that's why he was flying away from town and headed to Sweet Apple Acres. The mornings had started to cool down and it took some time to warm the day, but the coolness was refreshing for someone who breathed fire. He had come for breakfast this morning, then left towards town to work. While working, he kept thining about what to do, and an old legend came to mind. 'I can't tell Twilight, or the others... I know! I'll ask Apple Bloom and her friends!' Once he landed in front of he barn house, he knocked. There was a low chatter coming from inside, probably the Mane Six. The door opened to reveal Applejack.
Jethro POV
"Hi AJ. You know where the Crusaders are?" She looked at me curiously, then scratched her chin. "They ain't round hear. Did yah try their club house out back?" 'Of course!' "Thanks AJ. I'll check there now." I walked out from under the porch roof and flew over the house towards the back. It wasn't that complicated to find the clubhouse, it was white with a pink roof surrounded by green, the colors made it stand out more than a sore claw. I hovered next to their window and tapped on it. Sweetie Belle opened the window and stuck her head out. "Hey Jethro! What are you doing here?" At the question, the other two came to the window and poked their heads out. "Well, I need your help, but you can't tell anypony about it."
The CMC shushed themselves and opened the door for me. I flew to the entrance and walked inside, closing the door behind me. They had closed all the blinds and were sitting on a semi-circle waiting for me. Sitting down I began. "Ok, this is what I need help with." I placed a piece of paper in front of them, and Apple Bloom nearly hurt Scootaloo with all the shaking she gave to her shoulder. "Are theas the plans for a haunted house for Nightmare Night!?" I nodded and the three yelled. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Haunted House Explorers!" 'You gotta love their enthusiasm.' I thought. "No, I need your help scaring people in the haunted house, you know...be a part of it..."
The three looked at each other and grins got plastered on their faces. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS PROFESSIONAL SCARERS!" This time they yelled louder. I lowered my head trying to cover my ears with my claws, but it was useless. "Ok. Now that it's settled, why don't the three of you have a sleepover at my house tomorrow? Since its Friday, we can plan more about the haunted house while you three have fun." "YAYYY!" I covered my ears again. "Sorry about that Jethro. We were just exited. We're getting to have a sleepover at the princess' castle." "Yeah, we remembered a movie we saw a few weeks back, that the character's job was to make ponies scream." Scootaloo interjected. "Yeah, it was calld...Monsterpony Inc." Apple Bloom said.
The three went on about what to do, meanwhile, l looked at them smiling. "You three have to ask your sisters." They quickly stopped talking and started pushing me towards the door. "Why are you pushing me?" Apple Bloom face hoofed. "Because we need you to confirm it and show that we didn't force it." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison. The three kept pushing. "Ok, ok. Let's go." I began walking and the three ran ahead of me towards the farm house. When I arrived Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were talking to their sisters and Scootaloo with Rainbow. "Jethro, tis true that the sleepover was yer suggestn?" I answered afirmatively and she sighed. "I can watch them for the whole weekend, if you don't mind." The girls looked at each other, then at me. "Are you sure about that?" I nodded and the older sisters sighed. "I don't know if you fillies can stay with him..." The CMC were looking at them expectantly. "Look at it this way: you have a whole weekend just for yourselves. I can pick them up at school and fly them to my place." The three fillies were giving them the puppy dog eyes. "Oh alright. You can pick them up at school, but you must bring them back here on Sunday."
(Normal POV)
It was Friday after school, and the three fillies were waiting at the door for Jethro. "Girls, I was informed that the three of you will be picked up by Jethro, but he's la..." The crimson pegasus landed in front of Cherilee a tad too fast and dust rose from the ground. "I'm sorry for being late Miss Cherilee! I had to get some things for the girls." Jethro carried a saddle bag with some food supplies, a few pillows and blankets. "Well, at least you didn't forget. Please try to be on time next time. Good bye girls! See you on Monday." Cherilee left towards town. "Ok! Let's go!" The CMC began running towards Ponyville.
"Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo! You're going the wrong way!" With a screeching halt, they turned around and ran in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage. He laughed while walking behind them. "Jethro, where's your house?" Scootaloo asked once they reached the cottage, not finding another building besides the cottage owned by the shy pegasus. "It's deep inside the Everfree, same as always." Their ears dropped. "Insie de Everfree?/Inside the Everfree?" He nodded to their question. "Now wait here. When I call you, you enter the forest." He walked inside, vanishing from sight. "Are we really walking into the Everfree?" Sweetie Belle sounded slightly scared. "Ah don know...maybe its a prank?" The red haired filly said. "Aaaahhhhh stop worrying so much you two. We have a whole weekend to plan a haunted house for next Friday." In that instant, thunder clouds rolled over the forest. "Girls! Come on! We have to beat the storm to my place!" The three looked at each other and spoke in unison. "Can't we just go to your house?" They heard him sigh. "We are going, so come on." The three walked into the forest.
(Sometime later)
The pegasi had a storm planned for the afternoon, and the Mane Six were cooped up in the Library. "Uhhh..." Both Rarity and Applejack said at the same time, a rare thing since they were polar opposites. "Everything alright you two?" The lavender mare asked. "We're just worried about our sisters." Rarity spoke out, and AJ just hummed in acceptance. "You don't have to worry about them, Jethro will take good care of them." Reassured Fluttershy. "Ah know, but that dosn't mean we wont worry..." Twilight smiled. "I got it! Why don't we all go to the spa, a relaxation day will surely help unwind." The suggestion was out of the lavender mare's comfort zone, but she was willing to endure it. She personally thought it was better to stay inside and read books. "That's a great idea!" Pinkie was shouting, shaking Fluttershy. The idea perked Rarity up. "Some spa time would release the tension I've had on my back recently." The all grabbed some umbrellas and headed to the Day Spa to release some tension.
(With the CMC)
A dragon emerged from the forest to the clearing where the partly ruined castle was. "Since when is the rain so cold?" Scootaloo asked, making sure to stay under his wing. "Well, it's autumn, and the days will only get colder as winter arrives." The unicorn filly answered in a matter of fact tone. "It doent mattr. With Jethro an his wings, we have the best umbrella evr, its even heated!" The three fillies agreed and Jethro smiled. 'The cold rain is actually good for me.' They walked up the stairs and Sweetie Belle helped open the door with her magic. "Ok. We'll take a tour of the place first, then you three take baths while I cook." They all dropped their saddle bags and the tour began. First, they entered the Sun throne room, then the Hall of Ponyless hooves, Ponyarmor Hall and the mega Organ.
Jethro showed them the many diferent trap doors and spots for them to go and scare ponies, and Apple Bloom had already chosen her spot. "Ok, if anything happens, you three can come here. - Jethro pulled down a lever and a door opened - This is a small, but sturdy room, that has only access from this place and another one close to the throne room." The three got in and looked at him. "What could happen?" Jethro looked away. "Well...there was one time when Timberwolves snuck inside..." Their faces lost their color, and Sweetie Belle turned white-er, if that was possible. "That happened a few months back, but they ran away once I began breathing fire." A bit of color returned to their faces and they walked outside of the small place and into the oposite side of the castle through the kitchen. "Ok, I'll begin with dinner, so go get baths." He sent them off to the bathroom, assuring them that no timberwolves would sneak inside this part of the castle. The three fillies were walking, and could feel a cold breeze giving them goosebumps on their skin. "What 's that?" Apple Bloom was walking in the direction of the cold breeze.
"Apple Bloom! What are you doing?" Scootaloo shouted/whispered. "Am gonna check where dis cold breeze comes from, nothin much." The other two fillies walked behind her, curiosity growing. The corridor wasn't very long, as they could see Jethro's tail at the end; that was the kitchen. To the right, there was a slightly open door from where the cold air seeped out. "What do you think is in here?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I don't know, but let's find out." Scootaloo pushed open the door, and the saw another corridor, but this one was covered with ice and a small amount of light cristals. They walked further in and crashed with a cold wall. "Ouch. Stupd wall." Apple Bloom rubbed her face and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were frozen with fear, both pointing a hoof at it. "That's not a wall Apple Bloom..." The farmer filly lifted her gaze towards what she thought was the wall, but it was a thing hanging from the roof. "This aint nothin girls, just a decoration." She touched it to turn it around, and it was frozen as well. Soon they saw something they regreted...the face of a pig. What was dangling from the roof was a dead pig...
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""AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"" The three huddled close to each other, and tried to run away, but they just kept crashing into dead pigs.
""AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"" He heard the yells and dropped the pan. "Girls!" He ran towards the scream, but didn't see nothing in the direction of the bathroom. 'Where are they?' He tried to think, but the cold wasn't letting him. 'Why is it so cold out here?' He turned towards the freezer and saw the door wide open. "Damn!" He ran inside and found the three fillies inside, huddled together. "Girls. Come on out, you'll freeze in here." Jethro wrapped them in his wings and led them out. "Now let's get you three warm." He lit the fireplace and the three went close. "W-what was t-that?" They were shivering, but not of the cold, they were scared seeing for the first time a dead pig. "That's where I keep meats." The fillies looked at him.
"I'm a dragon, and dragons eat meat...so I have a few dead boars from the Everfree. I have to keep it cold so the meats don't go bad." They had stopped shivering and were staring at him. "But yah eat vegetabls and other fruits at mah house, and ah've nevr seen yah eat meat." He was nervously shuffling his claws. "I'm half dragon, so I don't need as much meat as a real dragon. The things I eat are thanks to my Phoenix half." The fillies looked at each other and sighed. "Well, that explains a lot. You flying away like a mad pony sometimes, and coming back tired...hunting pigs must be tiring." All of them shared a laugh. "Yep, it is...and they're boars. Pigs don't have tusks." Suddenly, Apple Bloom was jumping exitedly. "Ah got it! When we do the haunted castle, we gotta take the ponies through the freezer. That'll get their scare juices flowing." The other girls looked at her deadpanned. "...That's an excelent idea!" The fillies jumped excitedly, but stopped. "Jethro, y'all ok?" Apple Bloom looked at him with those big eyes of hers, concerned. "I'm fine...its just...you three will keep my secret right? About me eating meat?"
Sweetie Belle tried to place a hoof on his shoulder to comfort him, but only reached his foreleg. "Of course we will." The three fillies nodded. "Specially from Flutershy?" "Specially from Fluttershy...Ah don't wanna know what'd happn if she knew." Jethro smiled, and grabbed the food he made: hay fries, eggplant sandwiches and some grape juice. "Ok, lets hear it. What can we name the haunted house? It has to sound cool." Apple Bloom raised a hoof and spoke. "How bout The Spooky Castle?" She wiped the ketchup from her muzzle with the back of her hoof and kept eating. "I don't know Bloom...Spooky Castle sounds lame..." Scootaloo sipped from her juice, and looked at Sweetie Belle. "Got any ideas?" The unicorn filly tapped her chin. "How about Dragon House?" Scootaloo let out an exasperated sigh. "That's worse than Bloom's suggestion." Jethro had been quiet for some time now.
"No no, I think she has something. A dragon's house is called a den, so why not Dragon's Den?" Jethro grabbed the blanket from under him and placed it over his shoulders as a cape. "Step right up ponyfolk and enter 'The Dragon's Den' if you dare! This atraction is so scary, even full grown ponies will cower in fear! I dare you to come inside..." The fillies were staring at him with smiles on their faces. "That's perfect!" The three had finished their meals and looked tired. "Well, it's time for bed. We'll continue planing in the morning." Jethro brought over his saddle bag and handed each filly a pillow and a sleeping bag. "Goodnight Apple Bloom. Goodnight Scootaloo. Goodnight Sweetie Belle." The fillies turned to him and smiled. "Goodnight Jethro." Not much time pased and the girls had fallen asleep. 'Shadow Night will be a good one this year...'
(Nightmare Night)(Shadow Night)
The town was completely covered with decorations, not thanks to a certain party pony and her party cannon."Thats me!" Pinkie whispered. Why are you here Pinkie Pie, I'm narrating the setting. "I wanted to say hiii to the audience! Also I wanted to say it was all possible thanks to my patented Party Cannon!" But I said it already. Didn't you pay attention? "Did you just facepalm? Awesome! I didn't know narrating disembodied voices could facepalm, or sigh like you just did." Hey look, a balloon. "Floaty thingy!" Great she left...where was I? Ah right. The decorations were done, and everyone in town was dressed up, ready for the festivities: Pinkie dressed as a chicken, Applejack as a scarecrow, Rainbow as a Shadow Bolt, Fluttershy as a tree...odd right? And Twilight...a wizard? "It's Starswirl The Bearded!" Pinkie popped up, whispered and vanished again. Any how, they were gathered near Town Hall in front of a stage, the mayor saying some words to the exited ponies.
"...Now let's enjoy Nightmare Night Festival everypony!" Everyone clapped, er, stomped and cheered. The little fillies went trick or treeting(however that's said in both real life and MLP) while some of the adults gathered around the dunking booth, and spider throw booth, amongst others. Everything was going well so far, until somepony noticed a black spot on the moon. Looking up, everypony saw the spot grow bigger, until a carriage could be distinguished. It was dark blue and black; with pointed edges and sharp lines instead of the flowing lines in Celestia's carriage, also it was driven by a pair of bat-ponies. A hooded figure jumped out of it and floated down, landing gracefully on the floor. With a hoof it removed the hood, revealing Princess Luna. Everypony bowed, clearly terrified of her.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight ran to her and bowed. "AH TWILIGHT!" The cowering ponies ran away, scared by her Royal Canterlot Voice. "Princess, I think you should try talking in a lower tone of voice." Twilight suggested respectfully. "BUT THIS IS THE VOICE AND VOLUME USED TO ADDRESS THY SUBJECTS!" Twilight lowered her ears. "...That may be, but it only frightens the townsfolk. A lower volume could improove the ponyfolk's liking towards you. Why don't you come with me Princess, I know someone who can help you with your volume." Luna sighed and nodded, following Twilight, but before they reached the outskirts of town, they met a chicken costume wearing pony who was hopping with fillies behind her. They exited the street they were in and met with Luna and Twilight. "...AHHHHHHHH! Nightmare Moon!" Running away, they vanished, leaving a cloud of smoke."WAIT!" Luna called for them, but they just kept running. "Thy hope thou're right Twilight Sparkle..."
After some trouble getting Fluttershy to help, and having Applejack give Luna some tips; nothing had worked, as ponies still fled from her, even though she spoke softly and tried to have fun like the rest of them. Pinkie Pie had already declared that being scared was actually fun for her, but Luna was too far away to listen, saddened by her failure. She walked into the Everfree and sat down in front of a Nightmare Moon statue, the glow of the moon behind it. "It's over now, Thy know deep inside. Even after Thy changed, everypony still thinks of thyself as Nightmare Moon... but thy'm not that mare anymore. Thy'm Luna, a mare who only longs for the acceptance of her subjects..." With a sigh and a heavy heart, a single tear fell down her eyes.
SNAP
She gasped and wiped away the drop of moisture, turning towards the direction of the sound. "Come on out! Thou've failed to hide thineself." The bushes rustled some more, and soon a pony walked out wearing a bird costume. It was a bright crimson costume comprised of phoenix feathers. The feathers surrounded the face, most pointing upwards like spines. Also, a feathered tail that extended a few feet back, and pegasus wings of the same color. "You got me. How've you been Luna? Didn't expect to see you here." She looked at him curiously. "Who art thou?" "It's me, Jethro..." A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and she hugged him briefly. "Jethro! It's been some time since the last letter, and thy must apologize. Thy sister suggested thy come to Ponyville and 'chat' with thou while here, keeping thy comming a secret. Thy wanted to also be welcomed as their princess, sadly, the rest of Ponyville still thinks of thy as Nightmare Moon."
Jethro sat down next to her. "I wouldn't worry about it much. Everypony around here is very superstitious, and it'l take more time to overcome their superstitions." She looked at him. "But how long?" Her teal eyes were beady and moist, tears at their corners. "I'm not certain, but moping around here won't change anything. How about we have some fun?" She sniffed and blinked away her tears. "Have some fun?" Jethro stood up and extended his hoof. "Yeah! I'll tell you on the way..." Hesitant, she placed her hoof on his and stood up, following him. "I'm doing a haunted house tonight, and thought that maybe you wanted to scare ponies...in the good way." She huffed. "Thy've been scaring ponies unintentionally, hating it every second; and thou want thy to scare ponies now intentionally? Art thou insane?" Jethro laughed. "Well, no. Since the haunted house is called The Dragon's Den, I thought that you could...protect the guests from the mean looking dragon...me." He pointed at himself, and she tilted her head a bit. "...Thy find the idea appealing. Where it this Dragon's Den?" The forest opened up to a clearing and she stopped next to him. "Welcome to the Dragon's Den!" He motioned with a hoof towards the castle.
Luna looked at it amazed. 'This is thy old castle...the one thy lived in with Tia...' "This is your old castle, isn't it?" She nodded wordlessly and walked forward, admiring the remodeled section. "...How come it's partly rebuilt?" Her mane flowed behind her, and Jethro found himself staring at it. "Uh...I'm living there now..." Jethro mentally slapped himself. 'Stop staring idiot!' He thought. "Jethro!" The fillies called from the door. "Girls, meet Princess Luna! She used to live here!" They came running down and circled her, exited. "Fillies, arn't thou scared?" The three looked at each other and blew razzberries. "Nope! We heard the story of how you changed from our sisters!" They smiled at her and looked at her mane. "Wow! I't beautiful..." Sweetie Belle admired her etheral mane. "Please, it's not that special." Luna was embarrased, it's been more than a 1000 years since she was complimented by anypony. "Of course it is! Don't you think so too Jethro?" Sweetie Belle turned to him.
"It's gorgeous..." He wasn't really there, but lost in thought admiring her mane. Meanwhile, Luna felt blood rushing to her cheeks, a dark and heavy blush. "Uh, Yes! Yes it's special! It looks great!" Luna looked away with a small smile and red cheeks, too embarrassed by his compliment, and he lowered his head that was a bright red. 'Why did you say something like that Jethro!' "...Hey! How bout we give the Princess a tour?" Exited, the fillies grabbed her hooves and dragged her inside.
(First Person POV)
The tour was finally over, being close to 8 pm. 'I can't believe she suggested that! It's brilliant!' I was smiling...more like grinning.
~Flashback~
"I'm going to appear here and breathe fire and Sweetie Belle will stop it." Luna looked at me with a thinking face. "How about thy use thy magic to direct them through the castle? Scaring them towards where thou want will be hard." The three fillies and I looked at her. "That's great!"
~Flashback End~
"Thou art sure that it's ok for us to wait here?" Luna was curious, to say the least. "You three will be fine...I've been chasing away the Timberwolves, and its been months since they last snuck inside." Luna nodded. "Thy shall wait here with the two fillies then." She turned around, and her mane moved like a trail of smoke behind her. 'How does her mane do that?' I strapped on the balloon and Apple Bloom held the reighns. "Now do it gently." She snapped them and I took off towards Ponyville.
We reached town by 8:20, and Apple Bloom tied the ropes, securing the balloon. Some of the ponies in the plaza had gathered around us, and when I felt there was enough of a croud, I started. "Welcome everypony! I dare you to come with us and enter The Dragon's Den! An atraction so scary, even full grown ponies will cower in fear! Come with us of you dare..." Fluttershy, and Rarity were nowhere in sight; Rainbow was probably daring AJ to something and Twilight was talking to some parents. She finished and approached me. "Jethro, nice presentation, and cool phoenix costume. How about you take us first...Rainbow and AJ dared each other, and these fillies want to go." She looked behind her, and approximately five, or six fillies were looking anxious. "Well, I can't say no to these many young ones. All of you get aboard!" The fillies hopped on, followed by Twilight, Pinkie Pie, AJ and Rainbow. I hitched myself and Bloom snapped at the reighns, taking off towards the castle.
"Alright everpony. Keep yer hooves inside the balloon and trah not to shake the balloon Pinkie." Apple Bloom called, she was glaring at Pinkie and the hiperactive pony apologized, staying still. 'We're reaching the landing point.' Bloom clicked her tongue, and I began the descent, but just as I began the descent, I felt something crash into me, shaking the baloon and scaring the passengers. Moments later, I didn't feel the force of the baloon on my reighns, Apple Bloom released the ropes like I told her. I fell down and crashed onto a tree, breaking it in the process. Whatever crashed onto me wasn't on top of me.
WHOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHH
Something flew over me, and a small box fell down. Approaching it, I grabbed it and shook it. It was mostly empty, except for a few small things, since it didn't maske much sound. I peered inside and saw three scales of diferent colors. 'Whose scales are these?' I looked towards the castle, and got a very bad feeling. I opened my wings and flapped as hard as I could towards the castle.
(In the baloon)(Normal POV)
'After the tug from Jethro I released the ropes out of pure adrenaline, and most were on the floor of the baloon, too surprised to stand up.' "Calm down everypony. There ain't a reasn for y'all to panic." Apple Bloom was trying her best to sound calm, but her voice was shaky. "Apple Bloom! What'n the hay's goin on?" AJ asked, but Apple Bloom didn't answer; instead she grabbed a few ropes and started lassoing a few branches. "This here's the landing spot for de balloon...we have to set it down here." With a nod, the adult mares present began helping: AJ helped her sister lasso a few trees, Rainbow flew outside and pushed the balloon to stop its forward movement and Twilight used her magic to get ropes from the ground to the balloon. A minute or so later, the balloon alighted down on a small woodden plataform.
"Is everypony ok?" While the rest helped, Pinkie asked around concerned, trying to help in her own way. "Yes..." She did a head count and found every single one of them inside. "Great! Um, I hav ta get inside, but y'all should come along." Bloom jumped out of the balloon and ran inside the castle that was a few meters away. "Hiuffff. Well, now that you guys are ok, let's go to the 'Dragon's Den' Uuuuuuuuu Spoooookyyyy!" The fillies began laughing and followed Pinkie to the castle. "Well, it ain't that bad...it looks cool for an attraction on Nightmare Night." Rainbow tried to sound ok, but her voice cracked a tiny bit, and AJ heard it. "Are ya afraid Rainbow?" Her teasing smirk grew for every moment she spoke.
"N-no!" She glared at AJ with a fierce look, but noticed she was shaking a bit. "Oh, you say I'm scared, but you shake in your hooves." "What! A'm not shakn!" Now it was Rainbow's time to smirk. "Prove it." They both looked at the castle. "First one there wins!" Poof, in that instant, both disappeared from the ballon and were approaching the castle, screeching to a halt at the same time. Meanwhile, Twilight just shook her head. 'They dare each other, but both are more scared that the fillies.' She hopped off and began walking towards the castle. When she arrived, the doors got surrounded by a cobalt blue glow and opened. Quietly, everypony entered the hall that was beyond the doors.
BLAM
The double doors behind them slammed closed. The room was pitch black, and no sound was heard except for the breeze that blew outside. "...Welcome to the Dragon's Den. This will be a very scary attraction, so fillies, choose a hugging buddy...also the mares should get hugging buddies." They all paired off, and the mares looked around amazed, trying to find the source of the voice. 'That was Luna's voive. I didn't know she was going to be part of the attraction.' While Twilight kept thinking, a bright cobalt blue ball formed and descended from the roof. "I am Lizz, and I'll be your guide for this tour." The voice came from the light ball and everypony stared at it. "Follow me everypony." It floated towards a door at a walking pace and vanished. They all walked towards the door and Twilight opened it with her magic. Inside, they found the room that housed the Elements, with claw marks everywhere. There were a few fallen columns, from where the light of the moon fell inside.
All of them watched as the moon got covered by a large dark spot, the movement of its wings kept it there, but it descended after a few seconds. "W-What was t-that?" Pinkie, along with the rest of the fillies, were shaking like gell-o. "I have a bad feeling. Come with me everypony." Faithful to the plan, Luna spoke through the ball and made it go towards what could be seen as the kitchen. Everypony watched as a shadow appeared, big sharp teeth and a puff of smoke rising from it's muzzle. "Hurry, you must hide! In here!" The ball flew towards a door, and the mares opened it quickly, everyone galloping inside. "Close the door!" The ball yelled a bit now and Rainbow closed it, walking inside to where her friends were. They all watched as a pair of claws came in front of the door, and stopped there. They stayed there a few seconds more and vanished. "Great, he left...for now. Can somepony make a light?" Twilight heard it and used her horn, a soft purple glow to it. She immediately felt her heart sink to her gut.
In the room that was already cold, their surroundings were illuminated, revealing rows after rows of what seemed to be dead ponies lined the walls, and at the very end one dripped. AJ looked back at the fillies and smiled. "Ah no need to worry young'ones, its just water." She walked forward towards what she thought was a decoration and touched the water. "See, just water." When she touched it, it was tacky. 'Water doen't get tacky...' She brought the hoof to her face and sniffed, realization hitting her. 'This ain't water...its...' "Blood!" Everypony screamed and ran outside, truly scared now. "Where do we go now?" Pinkie's voice cracked really bad, and the light orb formed. "This way, we must escape before 'he' finds you." The orb flew away, and everypony ran after it. The orb led them to a pair of double doors, but nopony was ready for what was inside.
(Some time before)
Jethro landed at the throne room, and met a destroyed place. The banners were all charred, the window destroyed and part of the floor burned. 'Who did this?' As he walked further in, he saw a shadow. The shadow reminded him of his father, albeit a bit smaller. He approached it rather happily. "Dad! What are you doing here?" He turned around and I could see his eyes, a pair of blood red eyes. "Well, well, well. How've you been...Shard." He stopped cold when he heard his name, well more the tone it was said, it was awfully familiar. "Oh, I'm sorry...Dad...he's not here." The one talking walked closer and showed himself. "Gary! What do you want?!" Jethro still looked like a pegasus, and this got him curious. "Shard, what's up with this...uh...disguise?" The younger of the two let out a feral growl. "None of your bussiness! Now, how did you find me?"
"Now I must say, none of your bussiness. I'm here because I heard some things...concerning you." He walked slowly towards him, his blood red eyes not breaking contact with his purple ones. "Things like you getting...friendly with these equines." He was circling him, his tail swishing behind him exited. "You know, after all the years we were apart when we were kids, I finally found out why we were separated. Dad said that peace could be made with other species, but I didn't want it. Peace is for these song loving equines, we're machines bred to fight!" Gary stopped. "I hate your disguise...let's get rid of it." With a glow of his horns, Gary removed the magic disguise. "He he he. Better." He resumed his circling. "After that, I began destroying towns in my path, searching for the culprit." Shard stood with his wings opened, smoke dripping from his muzzle.
"So you killed them? Just because dad wanted peace?" Gary looked at him, smiling. "No, I killed them because I wanted! The urge to hunt grew too strong and I killed a pony that strayed once too close to my den. When I finished, I couldn't believe the rush I felt, it was amazing!" Shard had seen those eyes before, on the three that tried killing him before. "I proposed to take everything for ourselves! Since we're so feared throughout the lands, why are we the ones hiding?! Shouldn't they service us!?" He laughed like a madman. "You're mad! No wonder dad hated when you came close!"
Gary stepped up in front of Shard and placed a claw on his muzzle to silence him. "Wrong! Dad hated when I approached you because he was trying to hide something! Once, a pony steered close to my den and I attacked him, same as with the rest. But this one was different. He jumped and evaded me. After an intense chase into the woods, I saw him change, from this pony into a dragon with feathers! In that instant, he used his claws and slashed my chest, giving me this." He raised his chest and three thick lines ran down his chest, scar tissue where scales should have been. "He said, he was going to kill me for hurting his daughter, but I wasn't going to let him. I shot lightning at him and he fell down, twitching, leaving a few burned feathers flying in the air. I approached him and ripped his wings out, going for his heart next, but this unicorn popped out from nowhere and vanished with him. I swore that I would kill every single hibrid I found because of him." He stomped the floor and it cracked under his strength.
"Now here I am, looking at my brother who used the same disgusting magic trick as that bastard, and I finally understood everything. The piece that explained why we were separated. It was because you are a hybrid!" His horns shone black with purple and a bolt formed, shooting at Shard. "Stop dodging you half-blood!" Shard turned to face him and expelled fire from his maw, lighting up the place, trying to burn him. "Weak!" The small beam hit Shard and the final spell vanished, revealing his true feral form. The claws were far sharper than dragon's claws; the spikes at the back of his head were actually feathers that fell down his back and his tail spikes were a fan of crimson and silver feathers. "To think my own blood is an abomination!" Shard barred his teeth, his feathers smoking slightly. "The abomination is you!" Shard lunged at him, claws forward, causing a smirk on Gary. Gary raised his claws and both sets entangled with each other, the floor cracking up a bit more by the sheer force of them. With a push, Gary forced Shard away and his claws got cloaked with lightning. "I shall end you!" He slashed left, right and down with both claws, but none hit. Shard's claws lit on fire and he counterattacked, managing to cut off a head spike half off.
In that moment, the doors opened and the mares appeared through. "Oh look, more equines." Shard looked towards them and was clawed in the face, flying a few meters before stopping. Gary turned to them with a predatory smirk. "You get away from them!" Shard tackled Gary on his side and looked back at the girls. "Get away! I'll keep him bussy!" Shard shouted, looking back at them. "Jajaja! Die!" Gary opened his mouth and lightning flew towards the mares and fillies. "Noooo!" A few feet before the lightning struck, a cobalt blue magical shield formed, protecting them. Smoke rose and when it cleared, Luna was standing between them and the shield. "Art thou alright?" They all nodded. "Good. Let's get away from here!" They ran and reached the entrance. When they opened the door, a pack of Timberwolves walked in. "Well, well, well. We have dinner boys!" The timberwolves walked inside, aproximately 10. "We have to push forward and get away from here!" Twilight began shooting bolts of magic at the ones in front of her, creating a path to the balloon for the rest.
"Everyone to the balloon!" They all galloped and reached the balloon, leaving Twilight with Luna to fend off the remaining timberwolves. "Twilight, thou will go with the rest of them. Thy shall stay and provide cover." Luna blasted another timberwolf to smithereens. "I can't go! I can't leave you here!" Luna smiled. "It'll be ok Twilight. Thy'm far better versed in combat, since Thy helped with the taking of Equestria. Thine friends need thou now more than anything." Twilight debated inside her mind if she should stay, but the look Luna gave her didn't leave room for arguing, so she obliged and left. 'The three fillies are nowhere in sight...Thy hope they're ok.' Luna galloped towards the safe spot, and found the fillies outside it. "Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle. Why art thou outside the room?" The three hugged her tightly, hiding behind her. "T-timberwolf!" The creature was slowly walking from the spot they should have been hiding in. "Stay back foul beast!" She gathered magic and shot it at the timberwolf, but it just shrugged it off. "Girls, run back to the balloon, Thy shall destroy this beast." The three nodded and ran off.
While Luna fought off the beast the three fillies ran, but took a wrong turn and instead of the entrance, they were at the throne room. "Jethro!" The girls looked as he lay in tatters, same as Gary. "Girls, get away from here! It's not safe!" He felt them hide behind him, peeking at the other one. "Timberwolves are everywhere!" Scootaloo managed to say without faltering. He ignored Gary and kept pushing them to the door. "Oh, what's this? You won't present me to them?" Shard stood up and glared at him. "Why would I do that! You've got nothing with them!" Gary moved towards the three fillies, only to be blocked by Shard. "Get away from them." "Make me."
As the two attacked each other, Shard kept his back to the three fillies. "Humph, you remind me so much of our 'good' dad." The venom laced words hit deep. "Why you!" Shard attacked relentlessly, until he felt his back against a wall, a foreleg to his throat. "Protecting them! You make me sick!" Gary slapped him with his paw and Shard flew until he hit another wall. Opening his eyes, he saw the three girls shivering in place. "I'll enjoy eating you three." Fear crossed their small faces. "What's this? So scared you peed yourself?" He looked directly at one of them, his smile growing. "Get away from them bastard!" Shard shakily stood up, panting. "Nope. Instead, you'll just watch them die not being able to do anything!" A blast of lightning escaped his mouth, but instead of hitting its intended target, it hit Shard in the back. "Useless! You're just prolonging the inevitable!"
He had flown and covered them with his wings, acting as a shield. He skidded a few feet forward and collapsed unconscious. Seconds later, a dark blue mare appeared in front of them, running towards the fallen Jethro. "Jethro! Art thou alright?" She was shaking him, and a few moments later, he opened his eyes. "Luna...get the girls...out of here..." She was about to explain that she already sent them to the balloon, but he opened his wings and there they were, eyes closed and paralized with fear. With a nod, she hugged them and teleported out. "Ooo, was she your mate? Nah, too pretty for you. Maybe I could claim her as my own..." He smiled, but it soon vanished, as a fire blast collided with his face. "D-don't you dare...talk about Luna...like that!" Shard had managed to lift his chest and face from the ground, spitting a mouthful of blood on the ground. Gary now smiled manically, approaching his brother. "I'll do whatever I want Shard! - He stepped on his ribs, breaking a few in the process - And then, I'll kill you!" Biting down, he yanked a wing and tore the muscle out. "AAAAAHHHH!"
When he was about to bite down on his neck, Gary was interrupted. "Master Gary! We must leave at once! The captain of the Royal Guard is approaching and if we're seen, the master plan will be stopped." The armored phony was concerned, a hoof on Gary's shoulder. "Thanks Chang. It seems our bonding time will have to be cut short, brother." Gary walked towards the hole on the wall he made and looked back. "Chang, return to your post. The plan must continue uninterrupted." Bowing, the phony left. Unfurling his wings, Gary lifted off, but before he left he spoke his warning. "You better watch your back brother! Everything is not what it seems!" He flew away, leaving Shard on the ground, bleeding by his wing and coughing up blood. 'Is this the end?'